One of the most important events in my life growing up was encountering Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Denver. I had already experienced profoundly the personal love of Jesus Christ for me as a young person through the witness of my family and retreat opportunities. I had even felt quite strongly the call to enter the seminary and pursue the priesthood. But on Aug. 14, 1993, something changed in me.

Twenty-seven years ago on June 2, I was ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. I had never before known such joy. I offer my support and prayers to all of our priests who celebrate their anniversary this month and to all who will be ordained for our archdiocese May 27.

Have you ever tried to put into one sentence the reason that you are a Christian? What do you believe and why do you believe it? Here is my attempt: I am a Christian because God’s own son has freed me from death.

A Year of Mercy-inspired icon has been visiting parishes around the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and will be featured at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis Nov. 20 for the closing Mass of the Year of Mercy.

“Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ They said in reply, ‘John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.’ And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”